Benzema, Rami get French call

Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema and Valencia centre-back Adil Rami have both been included in Didier Deschamps’ latest France squad.

It is the former Marseille Coach’s first selection for competitive football since replacing Laurent Blanc after Euro 2012.

La Liga-based duo Benzema and Rami have both been included for the Les Bleus’ plans for starting 2014 World Cup qualifying against Finland and Belarus.

Real’s Raphael Varane, who was called up to Deschamps’ first squad earlier this month for a friendly against Uruguay, does not make the cut this time.

The French are in the same European qualifying group as Spain.

France squad to face Finland and Belarus

Hugo Lloris (Lyon/FRA), Steve Mandanda (Marsella/FRA), Mickael Landreau (Lille/FRA), Christophe Jallet (Paris SG/FRA), Mamadou Sakho (Paris SG/FRA), Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa (Montpellier/FRA), Gael Clichy (Manchester City/ING), Patrice Evra (Manchester United/ING), Laurent Koscielny (Arsenal/ING), Adil Rami (Valencia/ESP), Anthony Reveillere (Lyon/FRA), Etienne Capoue (Toulouse/FRA), Maxime Gonalons (Lyon/FRA), Rio Mavuba (Lille/FRA), Blaise Matuidi (Paris SG/FRA), Yohan Cabaye (Newcastle/ING), Abou Diaby (Arsenal/ING), Mathieu Valbuena (Marsella/FRA), Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich/ALE), Jeremy Menez (Paris SG/FRA), Karim Benzema (Real Madrid/ESP), Olivier Giroud (Arsenal/ING), Bafetimbi Gomis (Lyon/FRA).

Tags benzema France Rami Spain
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